Search Results for: blog fight overpopulation

Shelters Overwhelmed With Fighting Dogs

The dogs seized from Michael Vick’s property may be the most famous dogfighting survivors headed to animal shelters this month… but they aren’t the only ones. Animal control and police departments around the country have seized dozens of injured and abused pit bulls from dogfighting operations in homes, barns, yards, and on the streets. In July 2007: Six dogs were seized in Columbus, Ohio. Thirty-seven dogs were seized in South Holland, Illinois. Four dogs were seized in Chicago, Illinois. Thirty-one dogs were seized in Reelsboro, North Carolina. Twenty-two dogs were seized in Richland County, South Carolina. And that’s just a … Continue reading →

Pet Overpopulation Statistics

If you don’t believe that spaying and neutering your pets is a good idea, maybe these statistics will change your mind. The Humane Society of the United States estimates that between six and eight million cats and dogs enter animal shelters and rescues every year. Of that number, approximately half are euthanized — that means between three and four million dogs and cats die for no other reason than they are in a shelter that cannot afford the space or money to keep them. There are between four and six thousand animal shelters and rescue organizations in the United States. … Continue reading →

What is Urban Agriculture? Part 1

When you think of farms, you usually think of rural areas, but urban farms are becoming much more popular. Urban agriculture, or urban farms, can involve growing, processing, and distributing food as well as raising and breeding livestock, aquafarming, agro-forestry, and horticulture. Why have urban farms? Well, for one, it offers city folks locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables. Some people also do it as a way to earn income and some even do it as a form of relaxation. Urban agriculture isn’t a new thing. As far back as 1893, vacant city lots were turned into urban farms. Such … Continue reading →

Reading Felines: Tailchaser’s Song

When I was younger, I would read just about any book that had animals in it. My love for anthropomorphic animals led me (eventually) to discover Tad Williams’ Tailchaser’s Song, an epic fantasy quest story starring cats. These cats are feral cats, living away from the mysterious and not-to-be-trusted humans. One particular feral cat — our hero, Fritti Tailchaser — sets off from his familiar turf and clan to find a missing friend named Hushpad. Hushpad is the latest cat in a long line of disturbing disappearances. Along the way (as is the case in many fantasy quest tales), Tailchaser … Continue reading →

National Homeless Animals Day 2007: Ways to Participate

Today is National Homeless Animals Day. The International Society for Animal Rights first held the day in 1992 to raise awareness about cat and dog overpopulation. (Their mission is to fight animal overpopulation and end the suffering animals endure because of it.) Since then it’s become a tradition to hold it on the third Saturday of August. With the exception of Budly, all the rest of my dogs —Mackie, then Tiger and Murphy –were homeless dogs rescued from shelters, or in Mackie’s case, from a vet who found him wandering the streets. My life with cats isn’t as extensive as … Continue reading →

Types of Dog Aggression

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All aggression is not alike! There are different kinds of aggression, and different situations where you may encounter an aggressive dog — or see your own dog exhibit strange behaviors. Dog-Dog Aggression — can be set off by a variety of things. If a dog feels that he needs to protect food, resources, or his two-legged family. An undersocialized dog may not know how to behave around other dogs, leading to possible aggression on both sides. Some dogs find it fun to bully other dogs, or try to herd them. Some dogs don’t know how to temper their bites — … Continue reading →

Just in Time for National Dog Bite Prevention Week 2007

Just a little while ago I read Aimee’s harrowing tale of her recent dog park outing with Moose and Lally. (See: You Should Have Seen the Other Guy?) What an appropriate (yet unfortunate) tale that emphasizes this week’s theme: National Dog Bite Prevention Week. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Each year, 800,000 Americans seek medical attention for dog bites; half of these are children.” Yikes. Even worse, about 386,000 who suffered injuries needed to go to the emergency room; about a dozen people died. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. It … Continue reading →

Tabby: Even the Best Vets Goof

When I very first found Tabby in the middle of the road, the vet I rushed her to was great. It wasn’t our family vet because I wasn’t near them. I was only a couple miles from Banfield Pet Hospital, and, not knowing how bad off Tabby might be, I decided just to go to them. However, in the three months since we’ve had her, a couple of their initial observations have proved wrong. Room for Error I’m not trying to impugn anyone’s character here. That’s not the point. Mistakes happen. And in this case there was room for error. … Continue reading →

Be Kind to Animals Week 2007: How to Participate

This week (May 6-12) is Be Kind to Animals Week. The American Humane Association started this national awareness week 92 years ago, in 1915. Their mission was the same then as it is today: to raise awareness about the importance of being kind to animals, and to educate people about the importance and impact animals have on our lives. Be a Part of It! Aimee and I are both big time animal lovers. (Naturally. You’d hope to have such people assigned to the Pets Blog, wouldn’t you? The managers at Families.com excel at placing bloggers in appropriate subjects, but I … Continue reading →

There Was No Joy In Kittentown…

Confession time: I am guilty of the crime of creative cat diapering. My friend Jenny recently got a lovely black kitten named Zoe. After a few months, it came time for Zoe to get spayed — among other things, spaying fights overpopulation, helps reduce the risk of running away and some diseases of the reproductive organs. Zoe came through her surgery with flying colors, and was soon feeling well enough to start messing with her cone. Also known as an Elizabethan collar, the plastic cone helps prevent a pet from accessing the surgical site and stitches. Instinct tells your pet … Continue reading →